News Release

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

A Suspect, Posing as an Attorney, Scammed Victims Out of Money by Using Fraudulent Checks NR14244ne

Los Angeles: Central Division Burglary detectives are asking for the public’s help in providing information that would lead to the arrest of a suspect who has been scamming victims into working for him as a driver. The suspect would give the victim fraudulent checks and have them deposit them into their accounts via the ATM machines. The suspect then has the victim’s withdraw half of the amount that was deposited ($200-$500) and give it to the suspect, who promised to add them on the company medical insurance. After that initial transaction, the victims never hear from the suspect. Soon after, the victims discover the checks used by the suspect were fraudulent.

The suspect uses the name “Jaime Xavier Oliver.” His business cards state he is an attorney; Oliver & Associates. In the majority of the cases, the suspect has provided the same business cards to his victims. The suspect targets Spanish-speaking victims.

On August 2, 2012, around 9:00 am, the suspect hired the victim and paid him with a check. When the victim tried to cash the check, the bank advised the account on the check did not exist. This case was handled as a forgery by Commercial Crimes Division.

On June 10, 2013, around 1:00 p.m., the same suspect offered to find the victim employment but that there was a fee of $380. The victim agreed and met with the suspect and paid him $380 in cash. The suspect never contacted the victim and the victim was unable to get a hold of the suspect. The suspect had provided a business card. The victim went to the address on the card and discovered the suspect never had an office there. Building security advised that they have had many people looking for the suspect, each with the same business card.

On October 24, 2013, around 12:00 p.m., the same suspect offers the victim a job as his driver. The suspect gave the victim a check for $500 as an advance. Suspect asked the victim to deposit the check and withdraw $260 and return it to the suspect, which the victim did. A few hours later, the suspect gave the victim a second check for $400 to deposit and asked him to return $300. The victim did so but the bank denied the withdrawal. The suspect then asked the victim to drop him off in front of 7th & Flower. A few days later, the victim was contacted by his bank that the checks were fraudulent. The victim never heard from the suspect again. The victim had also provided the suspect his personal information and passport photos because the suspect had also promised to help him with his citizenship.

On December 29, 2013, around 11:30 a.m., the same suspect offered the victim a job as his driver. Suspect told the victim he needed to add victim to his insurance and convinced the victim to deposit his $400 check and immediately withdraw $400 and give it to the suspect because the insurance company required cash payments. The suspect then had victim drop him off at 7th & Hope St. Victim later discovered the check was fraudulent. The check was from a closed account. Victim has not heard from the suspect since that day.

On June 17, 2014, around 10:30 a.m., the same suspect offered the victim employment as a driver. The suspect asked the victim to cash a $500 check for him. The victim drove the suspect to a bank ATM, entered her debit and pin so that the suspect could deposit his check and withdraw the $500. The suspect then asked her to drop him off at 7th & Figueroa. He told the victim he would call her later but he never did. Victim later discovered the check the suspect deposited was fraudulent.

The suspect is described as a male Hispanic, black/gray hair, elderly 65-75 years-old, stands between 5 feet 7-11 inches tall, and weighs around 180-200 pounds. He was seen on ATM video wearing a brown colored suit. He walks with a limp, using a cane. On one occasion, the suspect had a white moustache and goatee. Victim’s described the suspect as frail, disabled; having a difficult time walking.

If anyone has any additional information regarding this crime contact Central Burglary Detective Joshua Riggs at (213) 996-1864 or (213) 996-1860. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.